Emerging Suffolk artist thrilled to play Glastonbury

A singer-songwriter says she is "still reeling" after learning her group has been chosen to play Glastonbury.Country music duo Oakley Starr applied to perform through the venue's Emerging Talent competition for new bands.Singer Lauren Jennifer, from Suffolk, said they planned to debut their first single, being recorded next month, at the Worthy Farm festival this year."It still hasn't sunk in yet," said Ms Jennifer, who lives in Ipswich.
The singer-songwriter, who works as an NHS carer, met singer Ziggy Phoenix online and they have been performing together, as well as solo.Country music has gained in popularity over recent years - something Jennifer is very happy about. "It's amazing. My head is still reeling, because to me country music has always been one of the elite genres of music, in my opinion," she said. "It is incredible to see all these new fans coming along and finally appreciating it, even if they did come through the Beyoncé route."If they come through the Beyoncé route and they discover people like Patsy Kline, Lainey Wilson and Luke Combs then all good. I'm not going to complain."But if you say your favourite singer is Beyoncé, I might have an issue."
The duo's name is a combination of Annie Oakley and Belle Starr, two outlaws from the days of the American Wild West. There are more than 100 stages and performance areas of differing sizes at Glastonbury, and the duo have yet to announce exactly stage which they will play. Listen to Lauren Jennifer's full interview with Wayne Bavin on BBC Radio Suffolk.
Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

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